Panel forming equipment



1951 H. o. FUCHS ETAL PANEL FORMING EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 26, 1958 I7 mha \L100\\ \5 6, 10 HENW 0. Aims CI/ZF'MES 61 50/9652 INVENTORS;

BY W

10 rroe/vEys Oct. 17, 1961 H. o. FUCHS ETAL 3,004,584

'' PANEL FORMING EQUIPMENT Filed May 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (IQ/1455 C. B02652 INVENTORS.

H. O. FUCHS "ET AL Oct. 17, 1961 PANEL FORMING EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 26, 1958 2 5 UON 1 m A x Y5 MW W 5 W @W WW tes This invention relates generally to methods and ap paratus for forming panels into desired spatial configuration, and more particularly has to do with economically forming long panels and tapered panels, and with flattening extrusions, without the use of expensive formmg equlpment.

Generally speaking it is common practice in bending or forming large metal panels to utilize dies, or rolls, or press brakes and actuating equipment therefor. With greater length, rolls and press brakes become more and more cumbersome and expensive because of the great rigidity which they require. Also, rolls are not suited to bending long panels where the panel curvature must change from end to end, or where the thickness of the panel changes so that it will react differently to the rolls. The present method of forming panels marks a radical change from these previously known methods in that the panel is allowed to move bodily and freely during bending to desired configuration as controlled by forcible bending of rigidly gripped spaced portions of the panel, as will be described.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, there are provided means, preferably but not necessarily comprising rotary clamps, rigidly attachable to spaced portions of the panel and operable to bend the spaced panel portions for bend forming the panel, guide means typically extending longitudinally and laterally in spaced relation to the clamps, and means supporting the clamps and movable on the guide means either in response to transmission of reaction therethrough to the guides during panel formation or in response to applied forces or both. In addition, the support means generally includes power means for transmit-ting torque to the rotary clamps for rotating them to bend form the panel, the different clamps gripping diiferent portions of the panel being controllably rotatable to predetermined extents, resulting in controlled bend forming of the panel to desired configuration.

More particularly, oppositely laterally spaced clamps are attachable to opposite edge portions of the panel, and clamp support assemblies are laterally movable toward and away from one another on horizontally extending guides. Thus, equal and opposite reaction forces will be transmitted through the support assemblies, and the panel will bend in accordance with the opposite torques exerted upon laterally opposite edges of the panel.

Further with regard to the structure of the support assemblies, they preferably include pivots having vertical and horizontal axes about which the clamps and the power means are free to rotate. Thus, each support assembly may be said to have four degrees of freedom comprising rotation about a vertical and a horizontal axis, and linear translation of the support assemblies along two horizontal axes i.e. along longitudinal and lateral ways. As will be seen, when a plurality of support assemblies constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention are used to support clamps rigidly attached to edge portions of a metal panel, the latter may be subjected to bend forming productive of any desired final panel spatial configuration.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more Patented Oct. 17, 1961 fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation showing the bend forming apparatus gripping a panel prior to bend forming thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the panel and apparatus at the completion of bend forming;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the panel and apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a single clamp member gripping a panel edge, together with the support means for the clamp including the power equipment for rotating the clamp member;

FIG. 5 is an elevation taken on line 55 of FIG. 4 and also showing the horizontal guide means for the clamp support assembly;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a section taken through the guide means and the lower portion of the support assembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective showing of the clamp member, and part of the power equipment for rotating the clamp member;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a panel member right and left sides of which have been subjected to rotary bending and outward pulling;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a panel member right and left sides of which have been subjected to outward pulling and rotary bending;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a panel member opposite sides of which have been subjected to rotary bending;

FIG. 13 isa cross sectional view of a panel member opposite sides of which have been subjected to inward pushing and rotary bending;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a panel member opposite sides of which have been subjected to rotary bending and outward pulling;

FIG. 15 is a cross section through a cylindrical extrusion to be flattened by the instant apparatus; and

FIG. 16 is a section through a V-shaped extrusion to be flattened by the apparatus.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 3, the initially rectangular panel member designated at 10 has its oppositely initially parallel edges rigidly gripped by clamps or jaws 11 on rotary arms 12. The latter may be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively and toward one another in a generally upward direction about horizontal longitudinal pivot axes 13 by the power equipment including roller chains 14, sprockets 15 and linear actuators 16 which comprise part of the support assembly 17 for the clamp members. The clamp members and support assemblies together comprise clamp assemblies.

Each support assembly also includes a parallel pair of horizontally longitudinally spaced frame members 18 mounting the power equipment and carried by a pair of rotary discs 19 rotatable about a horizontal lateral axis 22 in the plane of FIGS. 1 and 2. The discs 19 are in turn carried by vertical plates 20 which are connected by channels 21 and are free to pivot about a vertical axis 23.

Finally, laterally opposite support assemblies 17 are movable toward and away from one another on laterally horizontally extending ways or guides 24, and opposite pairs of support assemblies are movable together on longitudinally and horizontally extending ways or guides 124 so that during bend forming of the panel the clamp members 11 and the power equipment have two degrees of freedom in rotation i.e. about axes 22 and 23 and in addition have freedom of horizontal translation both longitudinally and laterally in the directions of the ways 24 and 124. FIG. 3 shows two pairs of support assemblies and clamp members as described, with the clamps gripping opposite edge portions of the panel and with two clamps being spaced apart at each opposite edge of the panel, and it will be understood that as many such parallel pairs of clamps may be used as are necessary to grip opposite sides of a long panel, and that the clamp members are differentially rotatable for variably and controllably bending the panel, and at the same time lifting it bodily to varying degrees about the diflerent axes of clamp rotation to achieve the desired final panel configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring now to the detailed construction of the panel forming apparatus, reference to FIGS. through 8 will show'that each of the ways 24 includes a base 26, laterally spaced upright plates 27 mounted on the base, and a pair of vertically spaced and horizontally elongated tracks 28 attached to the outside of each plate, each track having an L-shaped cross section. Confined between the vertically spaced tracks are two pairs of laterally and longitudinally spaced cam rollers 29 mounted on axles 30 carrying a frame 31 so that the latter may roll horizontally lengthwise along the tracks. Lateral displacement of the frame 31 is limited by engagement of two longitudinally spaced cam rollers 32 with the inside faces of the plates 27, the rollers being carried by vertical axles 33.

The frame 31 in turn supports an upright central pivot axle 34 comprising part of the turret type support assembly designated at 17. As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, and also in FIG. 9, the pivot axle 34 centers upper and lower bearings contained in upper and lower bearing housings 35 and 36, which are in turn bolted to the upper and lower transverse channel members 37 which inter-connect the two plates 26. Thus, the plates 20 are able to pivot about the axle 34 while being held against vertical displacement thereon by the radial and thrust bearings contained within the bearing housings. 7 The upper portion of each plate 20is generally annular as better seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, each annulus supporting a series of circularly spaced cam rollers 38 centering one of the discs 19, and a cam roller 39 bearing against the inside face of the disc to prevent inward displacement thereof. =It will be seen that each disc is diametrically larger than the circular opening 40 in its corresponding plate 20, so that the disc overlaps the inner side thereof, and is confined between that inner side and the cam roller 39 while being centered by rollers 38. Thus, the discs are free to rotate about their common axis 22, and are furthermore interconnected by the parallel, longitudinally extending and laterally spaced plates 18. These plates are welded to the inner side of the rear disc 19 and pass through an opening 41 in the front plate 19, being welded to the latter at the sides of that opening.

Extending between the two plates 18 are front and rear lateral axles 45 and 46 upon which are mounted two laterally spaced pairs of front sprockets 15 and two laterally spaced pairs of rear sprockets 15 appropriate bearings 49 being provided for this purpose. The sprockets in turn carry the roller chains 14, opposite ends of which are retained on pins 51 carried by attachment blocks 52. Since each pin retains the ends of two chains, there are two pairs of attachment blocks, and tension screws 53 interconnect the pairs of blocks 51 and 52. A yoke member 54 extends between the two laterally spaced blocks 52 and is connected thereto for transmitting translational motion to all the chains from a piston rod 55, a threaded connector 56 interconnecting the rod and the yoke. The piston rod projects forwardly from within a hydraulic cylinder 57. A piston 58 connected on the rod is movable forwardly and rearwardly in the cylinder by the pressure of hydraulic fluid admitted through ports 59 and 60 respectively. 7

Carried by a hub 61 integral with the forward sprockets 15 is a rotary arm 12 supporting the clamp member or jaw 11 which has been previously referred to. The jaw is Q-shape'd in cross Section as viewed in FIG. 5 and set screws 62 threaded therein are adapted to forcibly engage the edge portion of panel 10 inserted in the jaw opening, so that the panel may be rigidly clamped or gripped by the jaw.

FIGS. 1-3 show that laterally opposite ways 24 are rigidly interconnected by the beam member 70 to form a gantry type assembly spanning a bed 7'1. The latter has longitudinally horizontally extending ways or tracks 124 upper and lower sides of which are engaged by rollers 72 carried by vertical supports 73 supporting the laterally opposite ways 24. Thus each opposite pair of support assemblies 17 is freely movable longitudinally on ways 124, as well as being movable laterally toward and away from one another on ways 24. Also, ways 24 always extend at right angles to ways 124.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show laterally opposite support assemblies 17 to be connected with the beam 7 0 through laterally extending hydraulic or pneumatic power cylinders 75, piston rods 76 and structure 77 interconnecting rods 76 with the frames 31. It will be understood that different power cylinders 75 may be left unactivated so as to permit free lateral movement on ways 24 of the support assemblies 17 connected thereto, and that selected power cylinders 75 may be activated to desired extent for exerting forces on the support assemblies connected thereto tending to displace them inwardly or outwardly, as desired, the amount of force exerted being controlled.

Referring now to the operation of the panel forming apparatus, a long panel member, for example a lengthwise elongated rectangular or tapered piece of sheet metal, is inserted into the space between the banks of opposed clamps and is then rigidly connected into the clamp or jaw openings 63, the set screws 62 then being tightened on the panel inserted edge portions. At this time, the rotary arms 12 extend downwardly and slightly outwardly toward the support assemblies 17. Assuming that the panel is to be bent to semi-cylindrical shape as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12, pressurized hydraulic fluid is passed to the inlets 60 of all cylinders 57 to displace the pistons and piston rods horizontally outwardly to a controlled extent, thereby controllably rotating the rotary arms 12'and the clamps 11 about their respective axes 13, for transmitting bending torque to the panel. During this process the opposite edge portions of the panel are bodily rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively, and the entire panel is bodily lifted as viewed in FIG. 2. Since the panel intermediate the gripped opposite edges thereof is unconstrained, it bends in accordance with its stilfness characteristics and so as to remain in equilibrium as respects moments of force exerted thereon through the clamps, the spatial positions of the clamps, affecting the transmitted moments and therefore the resultant configuration of the permanently deformed panel. In order that the extent to which the rotary arms 12 have rotated may be known at all times, measuring discs 65 are attached to the stationary axles 45 of the front sprockets, and rim portions of the discs are inscribed with degree markings 66 as viewed in FIG. 9, whereby the widely laterally flanged jaw or clamp 11 may pass closely adjacent the degree markings. Thus, when the jaw rotates the forward edge 67 thereof in passing adjacent the degree markings registers the extent to which the clamp has rotated, and pressurized fluid may be transmitted to the power cylinder until the clamp has rotated to the desired degree for appropriately bend forming the panel.

As pointed out previously, the freedom of the support assemblies 17 to pivot about the vertical and horizontal axes 23 and 22 and to translate longitudinally and laterally and along the guides 24 and 124 enables panel formation to be carried out without undesirable constraints which would adversely effect the forming of the panel to desired configuration. Also, since the power equipment is free to rotate and translate with the clamps about axes 22 and 23 and along the guides respectively, the transmission of torque of moments of force to the clamps is neither affected nor limited by their freedom to rotate translate during panel formation as described.

When the opposite pairs of clamps 11 and support ass'emblies 17 are free to translate laterally along ways 24, the clamps transmit a couple which produces a bending moment exerted on the panel and also transmit the downwardly exerted weight of the panel to the ways 24. The support assemblies 17 may also be constrained against free lateral translation along ways 2-4 by activation of selected power cylinders 75 tending to push or pull the piston rods 76 and support assemblies 17 outwardly or inwardly, in combination with clamp rotation or independently thereof. Thus, the motions can vary along the panel as between various pairs of clamps and they can vary as between the opposite clamps constituting any pair of same. The variation may consist in the predetermined amount of rotation of the clamps or in the distance between the clamps of one pair.

FIG. shows a panel cross-sectional configuration resulting from clockwise rotation of the right hand clamp; FIG. 11 shows a panel cross-sectional configuration resulting from counter-clockwise rotation of the left hand clamp; FIG. 12 shows a panel cross-sectional configuration resulting from clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the right and left hand clamps respectively; FIG. 13 shows a panel cross-sectional configuration resulting from equal clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the right and left hand clamps plus equal in ward displacement thereof effected by cylinders 75; and FIG. 14 shows a panel configuration resulting from equal clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the right and left hand clamps plus equal outward displacement thereofby the power cylinders 75, all as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. l014.

In FIG. 3 at the right there is seen a master programming controller 80 for the various power cylinders 16 and 75, having hydraulic conduits 59, 60, 81 and 32 which will be understood to be connected with the cylinder inlets and outlets having the same numbers. Supply of hydraulic fluid through these conduits to the cylinders is programmed in relation to the amount of rotary and lateral displacement to be imparted to the clamps 11 gripping the panel sides along its length, so as to produce the final panel configuration desired.

FIGS. and '16 are cross sections taken through cylindrical and V-shaped elongated extrusions 90 and 91 respectively, to be subjected to deformation as indicated by the arrows, resulting in flattening of the extrusions as indicated by the broken lines 92 and 93. Such extrusions are generally produced with ribs on the outside as indicated at 94, for keeping the extrusion die design practical. Flattening of such extrusions for use as panels is very conveniently carried out by the presently described panel forming apparatus, since the clamps 11 may be fastened to the edge portions 96 of these extrusions and then displaced as described, without interference by the ribs 94.

FIG. 12 also shows a method of relieving high tension stresses produced in the outer concave surface portions of the panel during bending thereof. The panel is shown in solid lines in its deliberately over-formed, i.e. excessively curved, configuration, shot peening as carried out by shot delivery through nozzles 100 acting to relieve the tension stresses resulting in relaxing of the panel to the desired curvature as indicated by the broken lines 101. This method also has the advantage that the damaging tension stress is changed to a beneficial compression stress on opposite surfaces of the panel. FIG. 2 shows that such shot peening being carried out while the panel 10 is still under bending restraint in the forming equipment.

We claim:

1. A machine having lateral and longitudinal extent for forming a panel having laterally spaced opposite edge portions, said machine comprising laterally extending rigid way means, and clamp assemblies mounted on said way means for relative movement therealong, said clamp 6 assemblies including rotary clamps rigidly attachable to said panel opposite edge portions, said clamps having substantially longitudinally extending axes of rotation nad said assemblies including actuators for rotating said clamps about said longitudinally extending axes, said clamp assemblies including pivot means having axes of rotation extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both the lateral directional extent of said way means and longitudinal directional extent of said clamp axes of rotation, said clamps and actuators being freely bodily pivotable about said pivot axes during clamp rotation by said actuators.

2. A machine having lateral and longitudinal extent for forming a panel having laterally spaced opposite edge portions, said machine compn'sing laterally extending rigid Way means, and clamp assemblies mounted on said way means for relative movement therealong, said clamp assemblies including rotary clamps rigidly attachable to said panel opposite edge portions, said clamps having substantially longitudinally extending axes of rotation and said assemblies including actuators for rotating said clamps about said longitudinally extending axes, said clamp assemblies including first pivot means having axes of rotation extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both the lateral directional extent of said way means and the longitudinal directional extent of said clamp axes of rotation, said clamp assemblies including second pivot means having axes of rotation extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both said first pivot axes and said clamp longitudinal axes of rotation, and said clamps and actuators being freely bodily pivotable about said pivot axes during clamp rotation by said actuators.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which said machine includes rigid longitudinally extending ways on which .said clamp assemblies are mounted for longitudinal displacement therealong.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 comprising plural clamp assemblies and laterally extending ways supporting laterally opposite pairs of said clamp assemblies on said longitudinally extending ways for independent bodily displacement therealong of said pairs of clamp assemblies in response to differential panel bending by longitudinally spaced rotary clamps.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 in which said machine includes linear actuators operatively connected with clamp assemblies for forcibly relatively displacing said clamps laterally during panel bending.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 in which said machine includes structure through which reaction forces are transmissible from said linear actuators to said lateral ways whereby said linear actuators are differentially operable to control lateral displacement of said clamps to desired extent.

7. The invention as defined in claim 4 in which said lateral and longitudinal ways and said second pivot axes extend substantially horizontally, and said first pivot axes extend substantially Vertically.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which said actuators include chain and sprocket drives for said rotary clamps.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which said clamp assemblies are held by said lateral ways against vertical bodily displacement of the clamp longitudinal axes of rotation relative to said ways.

10. The method of bend forming a panel having directionally lateral and longitudinal extent and laterally spaced opposite edge portions, including rigidly gripping said opposite edge portions, forcibly rotating said gripped panel edge portions about longitudinally directed axes thereby bending the panel and shortening the lateral spacing between oppositely gripped panel edge portions, accurately controlling the extent of rotation of the gripped panel edge portions in predetermined relation to one another, and allowing said gripped panel edge portions to 7 pivot freely about pivot axes extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both said lateral and longitudinal directions during said rotation.

11. The method of bend forming a panel having directionally lateral and longitudinal extent and laterally spaced opposite edge portions including rigidly gripping said opposite edge portions, forcibly rotating said gripped panel edge portions about longitudinally directed axes thereby bending the panel and shortening the lateral spacing between oppositely grippedpanel edge portions, accurately controlling the extent of rotation of the gripped panel edge portions in predetermined relation to one an other, allowing said gripped panel edge portions to pivot freely about first pivot axes extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both said lateral and longitudinal directions during said rotation, and allowing said gripped panel edge portions to pivot freely about second pivot axes extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both said first pivot axes and said longitudinal axes of rotation.

12. The method of bend forming a panel having directionally lateral and longitudinal extent and laterally spaced opposite edge portions, including rigidly gripping said opposite edge portions at multiple longitudinally spaced locations, forcibly rotating said gripped panel edge portions about longitudinally directed axes thereby bending the panel and shortening the lateral spacing between oppositely gripped panel edge portions, accurately controlling the extent of rotation of the gripped panel edge portions in predetermined relation to one another, allowing said gripped panel edge portions to pivot freely about first pivot axes extending directionally in substantially perpendicular relation to both said lateral and longitudinal 8 directions during said rotation, and allowing said-gripped panel edge portions to pivot freely about second pivot axes extending directionallyin substantially perpendicular relation to both said first pivot axes and said longitudinal axes of rotation. A w

13. The method of claim 10 including the step that comprises relatively laterally forcibly displacing the longitudinal axes of rotation of certain gripped opposite edge portions of the panel during bend forming rotation thereof, whereby the panel is given desirably variable curvature transversely thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 including the step that comprises allowing gripped panel edge portions to move freely in longitudinal directions during bend forming of the panel.

15. The method as definedin claim 10 including the step that comprises impacting the bend formed panel with shot particles while panel edge portions remain gripped, whereby spring-back of the panel upon subsequent release thereof is reduced.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,604 Bradley Apr. 15, 1902 2,341,674 Wallace Feb. 15, 1944 2,431,173 Hawkes Nov. 18, 1947 2,500,278 Dunipace Mar. 14, 1950 2,598,456 Snyder May 27, 1952 2,889,865 Lalli -1 June 9. 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 505,866 Great Britain May 18, 1939 1,036,632 France Apr. 29, 1953 

